The physics behind this is actually that the engine lacked the hp at
low rpms to provide enough force at the road contact. The engines are
designed to maximize power at a near constant (and high) rpm. If the
engine was backed up by an infinitely variable transmission (or at lest
had enough gearing range), it could have maintained the 1,200 hp all
the way up the hill and should have done quite well, if the tires could
hook up that much power.
Stephen Waybright
--- Jim Anderson <jimbo.ander@verizon.net> wrote:
> Just to run this thread totally into the ground, some 30
> years ago about a British hill-climb car, handbuilt from a tiny
> chassis (an MG
> or something like that,with the frame extended) which had an Allison
> aircraft
> engine from a P-47 or Spitfire. It put out something like 1,200 hp,
> but the
> car was not successful since it lacked torque at lower rpms (not to
> mention
> the excessive weight of the engine which must have made it a bear to
> handle on
> tight curves). The problem was that aircraft engines are designed to
> produce
> their torque at high rpms and constant speeds and not under
> competitive road racing conditions.
>
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